Recent Purchases – Luft1946

In my first order from The Miniatures Marketplace (mostly Second World War aircraft) and added four MiG-9s as part of a project I have slowly been collecting miniatures, but sadly have yet to do anything with. The "what if the war continued" possibilities allows an interesting mix of aircraft to be gathered on the tabletop. 

Not quite as "crisp" as Flight Deck or Table Top, but very serviceable

Flight Deck Yak-15, The Miniatures Marketplace MiG-9, Flight Deck Focke-Wulf Projekt II, and a Table Top Focke-Wulf Ta 183 above

Anschluss - What If War

Using comparative historical data (speed bands of eighty kilometers per hour/robustness that considers airframe toughness, construction material, radial vs. inline engine, self-sealing fuel tanks, armor, and number of engines/weapons rated on weight mass per second and rate of fire/maneuverability and agility updates/acceleration or lack thereof/climb rates based on feet per minute) I have created stats for my "What If War" aircraft. This conflict assumes that Austria resisted Hitler's attempts to take over by political means, and that Germany launched "Operation Otto" in response. As Austria had ordered several Heinkel He 112B-0s, another assumption is that they had been delivered.

Heinkel He 112B-0 in Austrian markings

The stats below in many instances are quite different than found in the Check Your 6! rules. However, based on the comparative data, I believe that these updates actually work. The Messerschmitt Bf 109B was a pig when it came to agility and maneuverability, but was an ideal boom and zoom aircraft. This is reflected in its speed and high acceleration and increased weapon mass, going from 1d4 per LMG to 1d6. The improved D model, with its more powerful engine, automated leading-edge slats, and improved roll rate, is a beast.

Again, these stats are based on the historical record, and are rated based on the other planes on the chart - I would not suggest using these stats other than for this very specialized focus.

Recent Purchases – World War II

I have been on a bit of a buying tear, and I really need to slow down! My first order from The Miniatures Marketplace consisted of four Vultee Vengeance attack aircraft, six Rogožarski IK-3 (or IKZ) fighters, a pair of Messerschmitt Bf 109D models to use for Swiss, and a single Mitsubishi Ki-15 “Babs” for a Darwin scenario. The Miniatures Marketplace has a large offering of planes (444 as of this posting), and can print most of them in numerous scales (which can vary from plane to plane, but 1/285 seems to be available for all). The interwar list contains thirty-six aircraft and helps fill in some of the Spanish Civil War and Sino-Japanese War planes that are not readily available from other companies. Pricing is on the high side, with single seat fighters running $4.50 to nearly $5.00, but one can receive price breaks when ordering in quantity. Bombers are very costly, with a B-24G running a whopping $21.17 (compared to $8.00 from Table Top Flights and $10.71 on the Flight Deck site). Also, one will find planes listed under the 18th and 19th Century lists - an obvious error.

A pretty good Vultee Vengeance

The Ki-15, known in Japanese Navy service as the Mitsubishi C5M

The Messerschmitt Bf 109D, known to the Swiss as the Me 109 Jumo

Compared to a Raiden Bf 109E

The least detailed print of the bunch, the Rogožarski IKZ

And compared to a Leading Edge version - I prefer the Leading Edge model

As one can see, the detail on these 3D prints is decent. The quality of the material is between Flight Deck Decals and Table Top Flights - fairly soft, pliable, with good detail (but the details are not as evident as they are on FDD). 

Take a look at The Miniatures Marketplace for those odd planes that the others do not print, but be aware of the costs, particularly when it comes to larger aircraft.